Camera-Assisted Docking Using Remote Video Hazard Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial shipping asset docking operations face challenges in safely and efficiently aligning with loading docks due to obscured hazards and features, which existing systems struggle to detect using onboard cameras alone.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic information discovery protocol that allows commercial shipping assets to access and utilize video feeds from remote sources, such as drones or fixed cameras, for image analysis using convolutional neural networks to detect objects and adjust automated or semi-automated operations to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If onboard cameras alone are used for docking detection, then the system complexity is reduced, but the detection capability is insufficient due to obscured hazards and features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple video sources (onboard cameras and remote video sources) into a unified docking assistance system. The vehicle controller integrates video feeds from different locations to provide comprehensive detection of hazards and features that would be invisible to a single onboard camera, thereby improving reliability without requiring each individual component to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic information discovery protocol as an intermediary layer that enables the vehicle controller to discover and integrate remote video sources. This protocol acts as a mediator that standardizes communication between diverse video sources and the control system, allowing enhanced detection capability while managing system complexity through a unified interface.
2Measurement precision
If remote video sources are integrated to improve detection, then the detection precision is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both onboard and remote video sources through a single integrated system. The dynamic information discovery protocol enables the controller to adaptively discover and process various video source types, achieving high detection precision across different scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems for each video source.
3Reliability
If multiple video sources are used for comprehensive detection, then the safety is improved, but the information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic information discovery protocol enables the system to automatically discover and configure remote video sources without manual intervention. The vehicle controller autonomously manages the integration of multiple video feeds, performing self-configuration and adaptive processing that reduces the burden of information processing complexity while maintaining high safety standards through comprehensive detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a commercial shipping asset includes entering one of a docking and an undocking mode of operations using a vehicle controller of a commercial shipping asset, identifying at least one trusted video source remote from the commercial shipping asset, determining a distance between the commercial shipping asset and at least one object based at least in part on an image analysis of a video feed from the trusted video source, and responding to the determined distance by providing at least one of a warning to an operator of the commercial shipping asset and adjusting an automated or semi-automated operation of the commercial shipping asset.